Project Runway: Switchgear Upgrade Ensures Airfield Lights Stay On
Kansas City unveiled a modern new airport terminal in February of 2023. Behind the scenes a critical systems upgrade took place. As construction continued on the $1.5 billion Single Airport Terminal, technicians from Cat dealer Foley Power Solutions assisted specialists from Caterpillar in upgrading electrical switchgear that provides emergency backup power to the airport’s runway lights. The runway lights must be illuminated at all times to provide navigational aid to pilots, while the chillers provide air conditioning to the passenger terminal.
CLIENT: Kansas City International Airport
LOCATION: Kansas City, Missouri
PRODUCT USED: Cat Switchgear
Introduction
The Cat Switchgear is an integral component of Kansas City International (KCI) airport’s standby power system, and includes two Cat 3512B diesel generator sets that can parallel with the utility grid, or go it alone should grid power be lost.
“One of the most critical places here is the airfield,” says Kenneth Williams, fleet asset manager for KCI. “Usually when we anticipate severe weather conditions we want the generators already running. That way, it’s a matter of switching over to backup power so our airport controllers don’t get a big glitch which could cause flight delays and safety issues. So, it’s really critical for us to have those airfield lights on at all times.”
The Cat gensets and switchgear at KCI were installed in 2004. While generator sets tend to stand the test of time, switchgear is technology that requires regular attention and periodic upgrades.
With the advance of technology, the timeframe for upgrades has been cut in half to once every 10 to 15 years, he says.“Ten years goes by in a hurry and little do they know that some of those parts will become obsolete,” Messina says. “With technology, there’s always an update, and it’s the same with switchgear. Protective relays and PLCs become obsolete over a period of time, and that timeframe is getting shorter and shorter. There’s a lot of switchgear units out there that are over 20 years old,” Messina adds. “A lot of places just stay with the same equipment because it has worked. Normally they don’t react until there’s an issue. We want to make sure people understand that this equipment is crucial to the operation of the generators starting up in case of a major emergency.”
Without properly functioning switchgear, in many cases the generator sets will not start automatically and require a manual start.
Hospitals and data centers are prime candidates for switchgear modernization, says Steve Holland, Advanced Electrical Services manager for Foley Power Solutions.
“If a data center’s equipment goes down, it could cost millions of dollars a minute,” Holland says. “And with a hospital, it could result in the loss of life if their backup power system does not function properly.”
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
When KCI’s standby power system began experiencing some age-related technical issues, two years ago the team at Foley Power Solutions conducted an assessment of the switchgear and subsequently recommended a comprehensive upgrade after consulting with electrical engineers at the Cat Switchgear facility in Alpharetta, Georgia.
“When we identify a potential upgrade, we bring the experts in from Caterpillar, and they provide us with a solution as to what it will take to bring that component/system out of an obsolescent situation,” Holland says.“As with any technology, the PLCs and the relays and the HMI are left in the past,” Holland says. “When it’s not serviceable anymore or the next generation comes out, those particular products begin to become obsolete. It’s not only on the switchgear itself, but it’s also the generator control panels. In conjunction with modernization of the switchgear, we’re also working with the installation of new, upgraded control panels on the generators so that we can make these two items work in unison. When those generators are called upon, they’re ready to go.”
The upgrade at KCI included the control panels on the generator sets (to EMCP4.2), as well as the PLCs, relays and HMI software on the switchgear.
Prior to the installation, Williams traveled to the Cat Switchgear facility for a factory witness test. “We sat down, had a meeting and then we started doing our testing and they were really helpful,” Williams says. “They saw what our needs were and how we wanted the units to be configured. We’re running two engines side by side, separately but together, and the way they helped program them was amazing.”
Prior to the actual installation in Kansas City, dry runs were rehearsed back at the Cat Switchgear facility in Georgia. The Cat Switchgear team conducts dry runs to ensure that everything is correct when it arrives at its final destination.
“It’s as close to plug and play as you can get,” says Cliff Putthoff, a master technician from Foley Power Solutions who assisted on the project. “We did everything in stages to ensure that the airport was never down at any time.
They always had one engine ready to go. We staged the process with Cat Switchgear and did everything in little steps to get there.” Two engineers and an installation technician from Cat Switchgear started with the simplest components and worked their way up. Putthoff and another Foley technician upgraded the control panels on the gensets, and also assisted on the switchgear upgrade.
“They drop one side of the gear down, rebuild it back up, and then they’ll move over to the next side once side one is proved out,” Putthoff says. “At the end of the test when all the gear is done, we run through every possible scenario that we can, including loss of utility power, bringing power utility back, as well as other scenarios. We do everything possible to make sure there are no surprises in the end.”The final step involves familiarizing staff with operation of the switchgear, from simple startup to checking alarms.
“We go through everything we can until the customer is comfortable,” Putthoff says. The new switchgear includes an HMI software upgrade and enhanced graphics, which are more intuitive and easier to operate.
“A lot of our guys that work with those generators like the new software,” Williams says. “They like to see all the different graphics on the screen, and it’s really helped them understand the various functions and how to operate the software.”
Foley Power Solutions can also add enhancements such as remote HMIs, which provide the ability to view the status of the equipment from anywhere in real time, thereby reducing risk.
DEDICATED SERVICE
As a PSSR, Messina’s role involves talking to Williams on a regular basis to make sure the Cat dealer stays on top of service and maintenance. As part of a three- year Customer Value Agreement with KCI, Foley technicians perform oil changes at scheduled intervals, take fluid samples, and perform yearly preventive maintenance on the Cat Switchgear as well.
Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) feature individualized solutions for parts and service—all of which are designed to address the evolving needs and expectations throughout an asset’s lifecycle. With a CVA, the focus is on delivering a customized outcome, such as hassle-free maintenance and engine protection.
“We have everything set up for routine maintenance, which has worked out really well for us,” Williams says. “They take quite a bit of the pressure off us, especially with the generator. It’s been a good relationship. It’s an easy call and they always respond quickly. The Foley guys know our equipment, and that makes it so much easier.”
The KCI switchgear modernization brings all components up to date and ensures the standby power system is operating correctly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“It’s just peace of mind for the customer,” Messina says. “They know it works because we thoroughly tested the system, and it’s been working great with no problems. And that’s money back in his pocket. We’re not out here every month trying to update something or fix a problem. We put in all brand-new gear and it’s going to be even more reliable going forward.”
CUSTOM DREDGE WORK'S PHOTO GALLERY
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